IT sucks... want to be a NP one day

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2011

I am not familiar with what you mean by MCI (I'm in NOVA), but yes, with an accelerated BSN you can get into a MSN program. You may have trouble getting into some MSN programs without some RN experience though.

Just a thought, if you have more interest on the advance practice role than the RN role, have you looked into being a Physician's Assistant?

Bob_N_VA · Nov 5, 2011

I feel your pain, I have worked in IT for a long time and finally got fed up and made the jump back in 2009. I've got about a year to go, and so far no regrets. A couple of things to point out that you may want to keep in mind.

Night programs are scarce around here. Riverside (where I am at) discontinued its nights program with my class. All that leaves are the for profit schools like MCI and Fortis. I believe they do the RN in 2 years at night, that is a tough schedule when you are working during the day. Nursing school is no walk in the park, its the hardest thing I have ever undertaken. Lots of detailed knowledge to learn and retain.

MCI is VERY EXPENSIVE. Probably north of 40 grand. Thats a lot of money for a nursing education. Salaries starting out are probably between 40-50k so thats quite a bit of cost for the education. Since I don't go there, I'll let others chime in for their opinions of the school. Keep in mind that accreditation is very important, especially if you want to go on and be an advanced practice nurse or NP. ODU has programs available for Nursing Masters, I would check with them on what they look for in terms of accreditation stats.

As for NP, the change that is coming is that you will need a doctorate by 2014, no longer just a masters. Whether that is good for the profession I cant say. I will tell you that I don't think that pushing people straight through school up to a NP without any significant on the job experience is good for the profession. Going through school is just the start, where you really learn to be a good nurse is through years of working and learning as you go. But the schools are going to push them out, especially to get ahead of the deadline.

As Christine mentioned, you can also look at PA programs. In Norfolk, EVMS is it. Last I looked they would like to see applicants with some medical background and obviously they don't do nights. The other issue is pre-reqs. Most schools want you to have bio and chemistry besides all the usual English, math and psych courses. They also want you to have 2 semesters of A&P and one of Microbiology. Those are both 4 credit lab courses that you will need to get done first.

If you have any specific questions, you can pm me. I'm local and fairly familiar with all the programs in the area. Good luck.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 5, 2011

Check the requirements of the FNP programs that you'll be applying to. Do they usually accept students from MCI? Do MCI graduates get the type of jobs that will get you the expeirence you will need for the FNP? Do they do their clinical rotations in the best facilities? Do they provide lots of "hands on experience" in clinicals or is it a lot of observing plus practice in a lab with fake patients. etc.

I don't know the answers to those questions -- but I know that MCI is run "for profit" and very expensive. You need answers to those questions before you invest in any school.

mas28 · Nov 5, 2011

Just follow your dreams bro! There are plenty of programs out there that fit your needs. I don't know much about MCI, but I do know a lot about Accelerated MSN-NP/Entry Level MSN-NP programs. I applied to VCU's and UVA has one also. (Both fully accredited with 100% pass rates on Board of nursing website.) There are a lot of them around the country within Prestigious schools like Yale, Johns Hopkins, and Columbia. It requires that you have a bachelors in a different discipline, but have the typical nursing pre-reqs. (A&P I and II, psych, soc. etc) Look into them. Your first year and a half is pretty much exactly the same as an accelerated BSN program except you take graduate nursing courses simultaneously. After that year and a half you sit for boards and continue for the NP. Usually people work as an RN while going on to the NP portion for experience as a nurse. (Which is a good idea I think. )

Although it's not required for these programs across the country, I do think having prior nursing experience helps a lot. I mean the title FNP is an advanced practice nurse degree.

Another option in your situation is to try for the Associate degree nurse to gain your RN and then go to a direct RN-MS program. There are tons of them and some even online. You have to arrange your clinicals though. The key is getting the RN. Once you gain those initials, doors open up for moving up the ladder.

I am almost 30 with 2 kids so I understand you struggles and frustrations. Stay strong and never give up!! Sometimes we have to crawl before we walk. Whatever it takes to reach our goals right.

Good luck,

Mas28

twins4paiges · Nov 8, 2011

I am in a community college program about an hour and a half north of VA Beach. This first semester, I am only in class/clinicals three days a week. Next fall that will change to at least 4 days. They do not take your schedule into account at all, and the progam is intense. If you google MCI on this site, I bet that you will get a ton of feedback on it. You can also look up NCLEX pass rates for the schools in VA to get an idea...Have you checked out Tidewater Community College? I think that they have a program...But tell them up front that you are interested in getting your BSN/MSN so that they can put you on the right path.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 8, 2011

I made the jump from graphic design/desktop publishing/website development/middle management/gov't contracting back in early 2005 (yes, that was one job ... yes, I was very tired!). I was also a volunteer paramedic at the time, and I took a big pay cut (like 50%) to go work as an ER tech. It was worth every penny, but I also didn't have kids to support, and my spouse was making decent money (tattoo artist) and was supportive of my jump to healthcare. My pay dropped, but my happiness went up like 200%. :) I am a big fan of the "follow your bliss" philosophy, because as we learn in the ER setting, life is sometimes too short.

AspiringMaleNP, I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in pursuing your dreams. I didn't even finish nursing school (ADN/RN) until I was 35, and I finished my BSN and commissioned into the Army Nurse Corps when I was 38, so don't let your age freak you out (not that you said it is, but I'm just saying ... you have time). Keep us posted! :)

AspiringMaleNP · Nov 8, 2011

Thanks for the encouragement. I actually found someone that has graduated from the MCI-VB program and has gotten accepted into Georgetown's online FNP program so it is possible. She went to Arizona State University for her BSN.

I don't know why some of these folks keep beating the MCI isn't accredited drum. They hold the same accredidation as UVA (regional) as well as the NLNAC. My sources have debunked the whole employers are biased towards MCI grads thing totally. As a matter of fact from what I have heard some of them say the accelerated nature of the class is a good thing because it makes it more difficult and a certain level of dedication/perserverance is required to make it through.

@LunahRN

Thanks. I am kind of freaking out because of my age a little bit (didn't know it came through lol) but my parents told me they have a friend that became a MD at 57 because he got tired of being a banker so he went back to school and got his Masters in Biology and then applied to EVMS and became a doctor. Pretty cool stuff!

There is drama at every school folks. Look at Penn State for instance. I went to ODU for two years and there was quite a bit of drama there. SO what! Rise above it all and be done with it. I have a meeting at MCI today with the admissions woman so we'll see what happens. I have a list of questions for her so hopefully she is ready. :)

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 9, 2011

@LunahRN
Thanks. I am kind of freaking out because of my age a little bit (didn't know it came through lol) but my parents told me they have a friend that became a MD at 57 because he got tired of being a banker so he went back to school and got his Masters in Biology and then applied to EVMS and became a doctor. Pretty cool stuff!

Haha ... well, you mentioned your age right off the bat, and I know that I started to get concerned about how long things take once I was north of 30. I was 32 when I made the switch to healthcare, after investing a decade plus in my old career ... it is scary, but was so very, VERY worth it for me. If you asked me in 2001 where I thought I'd be in 10 years, I would never, ever have said "Army ER nurse." Crazy! But cool.

Hope your meeting at MCI went well!

leenak · Nov 9, 2011

I'm also in IT, 36 years old. Going into nursing will mean a drastic pay cut which is scary but I am near the end of how long I'm willing to continue.

Rookie0 · Nov 30, 2011

Wow...with the high pay in IT you are still considering a jump to nursing?

Why...? My husband talks about it all the time...

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 1, 2011

Wow...with the high pay in IT you are still considering a jump to nursing?
Why...? My husband talks about it all the time...

Money isn't everything ... I left a lucrative graphic design/desktop publishing/publications management job to be an ER tech, and then went into nursing. I followed my bliss. :)